We are serving a delicious slice of tradition with these Lithuanian Boiled Dumplings, or as the locals call them, Miltiniai Ežiukai. This cozy, down-to-earth dish is the perfect example of how simple, affordable ingredients can create something very tasty. Forget fancy ingredients or complicated recipes—these dumplings are all about comfort and nostalgia - a true peasant food that takes you back to simpler times.
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The Simplest Lithuanian Dumplings Recipe
Lithuanians have the most amazing recipes for various types of dumplings. Whilst I love Lithuanian Potato Dumplings with Farmer's Cheese and Sweet Farmer's Cheese Dumplings (or Sweet Cheese Filled Dumplings), this very basic dumpling recipe I am sharing with you today represents peasant food that is extremely inexpensive to make and has seen many families through really tough times throughout Lithuanian history.
I remember my mum making them for us when I was a child, reminiscing about the old days when her older sister would make a very large batch to feed a family of nine! This recipe is extremely cheap to make, using nothing but wheat flour, salt, oil and water!
And if you're looking to try a modern version of Lithuanian dumplings, that was my favourite thing to eat as a teenager (kind of still is...) - try Fried and Baked Lithuanian Pork Dumplings With Cheese or more traditional boiled Lithuanian Pork Dumplings.
Ingredients and Substitutes
This basic recipe for Lithuanian dumplings only requires 4 simple ingredients (including water). You can find the quantities in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- all-purpose flour: in Lithuania, we typically use white flour to make boiled dumplings recipes.
- salt: table salt, rock or sea salt will work.
- hot water.
- neutral oil: we use either vegetable (rapeseed/ canola oil) or sunflower oil in this recipe.
You will also need sour cream, butter and bacon to serve with the dumplings, or you can go all out and make our Lithuanian Sour Cream Sauce!
Step-By-Step Method
1. Make The Dumpling Dough.
The first step is to make a soft and smooth dough. Mix the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl.
Make a well in the middle of the flour mixture, and pour in hot water and oil. Mix it all together with a spoon, then, as soon as it cools down enough to tough, knead it all into a cohesive dough (it took me about 5-7 minutes).
You may make the dumpling dough in a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment too.
2. Shape Ežiukai.
Pinch off small pieces of dough (about the side of a grape) and pressing gently roll the dough ball on the inside of a star-shaped grater. This will from the spikes on the surface of the dough to look like a hedgehog).
Place them on a lightly floured surface or a large plate whilst you work through all of the dough.
3. Cook Lithuanian Dumplings.
Drop the Miltiniai Eziukai into a large pot of boiling water with a pinch of salt and shake the pan gently to ensure they don't stick to the bottom or each other. Cook them over medium heat until they float to the surface, then continue cooking for another 5 minutes. Note that cooking time will depend on the side of your dumplings.
4. Serve.
Remove the boiled dumplings from the large pan of water using a slotted spoon. Serve them with a very generous spoonful of sour cream and crispy bacon pieces on top! Or make a quick sauce by melting a tablespoon of butter and 2 tablespoon of sour cream in the pan where you fried the bacon (it will give it great flavor). Loosen the sauce with a tablespoon of water if you need to. And serve it all with crispy bacon on top.
What To Serve Miltiniai Ežiukai With?
Miltiniai Ežiukai is typically served as a main dish for lunch or dinner. Boiled dumplings are mixed with sour cream or creme fraiche and some crispy bacon or sauteed onions on top.
However, you can make a delicious Sour Cream Sauce that we serve with Potato Dumplings or Lithuanian Potato Pudding instead!
What is more, you can stir in some wild garlic, spinach or other greens alongside a knob of butter and sour cream for a little bit of nutritious veg.
These boiled dumplings can also be served as a side dish. A small dish of Miltiniai Eziukai can replace pasta, Italian gnocchi or German spaetzle.
Fancy a sweet dish? Serve these Lithuanian dumplings with sour cream and your favourite jam!
Storage and Reheating
These Lithuanian dumplings freeze very well. All you need to do is arrange raw dumplings on a floured baking sheet or large plate, cover them with plastic wrap and place them in the freezer for 30-60 minutes until they are frozen solid. Then tip them into a freezer bag and cook frozen dumplings as and when needed.
If you have leftover cooked dumplings, cool the remaining dumplings down to room temperature, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 48 hours.
To reheat, melt a little butter in a pan, and fry the dumplings over medium heat until fully warmed through and are starting to brown. I find that they are even more delicious when reheated in butter!
Other Lithuanian Dumplings To Try
Love delicious dumplings? Here are some of our favorite recipes for you to try next!
- Farmer's Cheese Dumplings (Traditional Lithuanian Gnocchi)
- Lithuanian Baked Mashed Potato Bites - Švilpikai
- Lithuanian Zeppelins - Cepelinai (Meat Stuffed Potato Dumplings)
- Lithuanian Potato Dumplings With Farmer's Cheese
- Fried Pork Dumplings With Cheese & Sour Cream
Lithuanian Boiled Flour Dumplings (Miltiniai Ežiukai)
Ingredients
- 1½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (120 ml) boiling water
- 2 tablespoon neutral oil like canola or sunflower
To Serve:
- 2 heaped tbsp sour cream
- 100 g pancetta or cubed bacon fried until crispy
Instructions
- Mix the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl.
- Make a well in the middle, and pour in hot water and oil. Mix with a spoon, and as soon as the dough is cool enough to handle, knead it all into a cohesive dough, smooth and elastic dough (it should look similar to pasta dough).
- Pinch off small pieces of dough (about the side of a grape) and pressing gently roll the dough ball on the inside of a star-shaped grater. This will from the spikes on the surface of the dough to look like a hedgehog).
- Place them on a lightly floured work surface or a large plate.
- Drop the Miltiniai Eziukai into a large pot of boiling water and shake the pan gently to ensure they don't stick to the bottom or each other. Cook them over medium heat until they float to the surface, then continue cooking for another 5 minutes.
- Serve them with with a very generous spoonful of sour cream and crispy bacon pieces on top!
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